Hello there
Everyone - anyone want to chat about knitting or crochet patterns?? I am married two grown married sons and have three lovely grandchildren to knit for now. Knitting an Aran cabled cardigan from one of the free patterns from knitting daily and it is turning out really good. So pleased and impressed. Knitting a scarf for the winter creeping in. Plus a shawl from one of the free patterns. I have two dogs, 1 cat and a couple of tanks of tropical fish. Anyhow, if anyone like to chat or say hi about they are knitting or knitted - be really pleased to help from you.
Bye for now from UK
Ackyknits
helloo knitfriend!! I'm also in the UK (north-east) The shawl you are working on - is it the one from the free lace patterns booklet?? I usually do Shetland Lace Cobweb shawls but I'm thinking of giving that one a try. P.S. would I be right in guessing that your one cat rules over the two dogs - I grew up with one cat and two dogs and the cat ruled the whole house!
Hello there Mandyangela Thank you for your email as it is nice to hear from you - sorry taken a while to get back to you - went down to Devon on holiday for a week. The farmhouse was lovely - it was miles from anywhere and no phone signals available for mobiles - so that was nice too. Really quiet - had a couple of days out and about. Ha ha! Lucky with the weather as there was sunshine every day. The dogs really enjoyed themselves running about the place. I did answer your last email?? Did it get to you? As, I did it though the Knitting Daily site? So, unsure if I did the right things, ha ha Hope so. How is the shawl coming along? Has it grown? I gave up on the small shoulder shawl for the moment. I am going to unpick it and (thank goodness not a lot to undo) and start again after I have finished the cardigan pattern. But, I am nearly finish knitting the Aran cardigan "Sienna Cardigan designed by Arin E Smith from the site. Just have the collar to finish and then, sew it all together. I am really amazed - on how little yarn it took. I have only used less than 500 grams and still have some left over. I did have 1000 grams put by, so my Mum has a cardigan and I have enough to knit one up for myself. I am also amazed how quickly it has grown. (Mind you - not much of a pattern). WOW you must have a lot of patience's to knit in 1 ply and using cobweb yarn. "One day" I keep promising to knit an elegant cobweb shawl for myself. I will get round to it. Ha ha! I will check out the Icelandic Shawl in the lace booklet that you are doing. I will look into the Shetland Hap shawl as well. The site does have some pretty good patterns. I did come across a lovely Aran lace shawl from another site - I will email it to you. It is on my TO DO list. One day. But, it looks so complicated. I am sure you would like it. (It is in my stash of patterns some where - I will find it for you. Were do you buy your yarn? Do you know of any good web sites??? Or places ??? Do you know of Kemp's Wool shop on the www ? They do have excellence bargains from time to time in their clearance sections - some times up to 26/30 pages. Check it out if you have not before. Also, Abakhan on the web is another good site for fashion yarns. I do know of a few others that I use too. If you would like to know? It is lovely to hear from you - write soon with all your knitting news Take care From Grecia Subject:hi there How are you, my knitfriend!! I replied to your post which I saw on the home page, but when I went looking for it earlier, I couldn't find the thread where the 'introduce yourself' posts are kept. How are you getting on with the shawl pattern you mentioned?? I ask this because I am a shawl knitter myself. I've only ever done Shetland Cobweb, Lace and Hap shawls up to now, but I want to try something a bit different. The Icelandic Shawl displayed in the 'lace patterns' free booklet and also separately in the free pattern section looks very similar to the Shetland Hap shawls I like to do. I do also like 'normal' knitting but for some strange reason, I like the 1-ply Cobweb work the best!! ---- Knitting Daily <CustomerService@interweave.com> wrote:
Hi Ackyknits
I'm new to the group as well. Can I ask you if you have subscribed to the magazine? I would like to subscribe to it but when it asks to put in the country it seems to be just the U.S.A and Canada that appears.
My name is Lyn and I am 57, married with a Son of 30. Unlike you I have no Grandchildren to knit for yet, but I live in hope.
I have three Yorkshire Terriers.
I learned to knit from my Mum and have been knitting for years but there doesn't seem to be any groups in the U.K. to join. They have some beautiful patterns on this site don't they?
Hope to hear from you.
Bye for now Lyn
Hi Ackyknits,
I'm not from the UK, but my mother-in-law was from Manchester, and I never met a nicer person.
I am retired and have two grown sons, but only one is married. The other lives with my husband and I on our little homestead in north Texas.
I like to do colorwork, primarily Fair Isle and double knitting, but also like to knit most small things - socks, slippers, bags, hats, etc. I also like to knit sweaters from time to time, the Wallaby being my favorite. I like trying new things and have just finished my first three 'toothbrush' rugs and bought roving for my first thrummed mittens.
Best regards from Monkeysocks in the US
PS: I'm ashamed to admit it, but while I've never watched an American soap, I'm an ardent Eastenders fan.
Hello there Lyn
It was relly nice to hear from a fellow knitter. What do you like knitting best? type of yarn etc? Have you tried any of the knitting patterns on the site? I have finished two of the cardigans and now on a small shawl. Also chunky novelty slippers (ladybirds) that was from a free website, the pattern. They are turning out really well. Been knitting for years, would love to crochet. Can you crochet? I do some simple stitiches but cannot follow a pattern well. Three Yorkshire Terriers WOW, I bet they are lots of fun and good company. We had a Yorkie the last dog from these two. He was a lively lovable character. Do miss him. Our old Lab needs to go to the vets next week, found a lump, she has already had three teats removed. I do hope it is just a cyst. She is elderly not sure how old. As she was a resuce dog and even though they tried to say she was about four/five - Had dogs all my life and the vet said, she was more like eight/nine and we have had her about 5 years now. Anyhow, it is lovely to hear from a fellow knitter. Hope to hear from you soon.
Kind regards
Grecia (That is name, my Mum had a friend from Norway, hence the usual name ha ha).
I did answer your question SORRY, mind like a sieve these days. No, I have not subscribed to the knitting mags, I did consider it, But, I already receive the Simply Knitting mag.
I have two sons, one is 30 this Sept, and another 28 years. Is your son married or has a partner or girlfriend? Is he still at home?
Hope to hear from you soon
Ackyknits, Grecia
Hello there Monkeysocks (I like your name ha ha)
How strange my Mum in law lives in Greater Manchester (Stockport), We have had our ups and down over the years but all is fine and well and get on really well. I think because my husband was the only boy and has three sisters, He joined the Royal Navy and was posted to Portsmouth my home town, the next thing he phoned up telling his Mum that he is engaged and getting marred. Gosh! that was 31 years ago. You have two sons too! They are a blessing aren't they?
WOW Texas, it is very hot there? Sorry ha ah, that is the Brit in me, coming out, we seem to talk about the weather a lot ha ha! Only because it is most grey and raining here two thirds of the time or cold. Have you ever been to Manchester? It rains all the time there - Yet living down on the coast we have had a pretty reasonable summers I guess.
I love knitting - how long have you been a knitter? I enjoy doing Aran patterns and chunky. Also love using the new fashion yarns that are around today. I also enjoy knitting bags and slippers . I am knitting Lady bird slippers for the Grand kids at the moment and found a brilliant pattern for Teddy |Bear, *** Cat, and Dog cushions. Really cute. I thought the kids would like them too.WOW Fair isle knitting that is mmmmm kinda of hard, I have tried but seem to do the tension too tightly. Sorry what is the Wallaby???? and toothbrush rugs? Erk you have lost me ha ha!
Eastenders ha ha Oh dear! We use to watch the soaps regularly, Have you heard of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Eastenders. I pleased that you enjoy them, Do you find that everyone is either shouting or crying in Eastenders??? Kinda of stop watching but do watch a lot of American programmes. Law and Order, CSI, Crimnal Intent, Without a Trace, Everyone loves Raymond, Life, Cold case to name a few. Use to watch NCIS as well, Just a few. H ah! We end watching these mostly than our own programmes.
It is lovely hearing from you, I hope to hear from you soon
Grecia That is my name, it is an usual name for English standards, my Mum had a friend from Norway and passed the name on to me. I think in Spanish it means Grace, it is also a boys name in Russia, so I been told.
Bye for now.
Hope to hear from you again
Nice to meet you, Grecia.. I love your name. I certainly never met a Grecia in Texas. My name's Deborah. New to the forum, I just discovered my empty bio and filled it.
You're right. It is sooooh hot in Texas. I've seen newsmen fry eggs on the sidewalks (back when I lived where there were sidewalks). I used to read all those lovely historical novels and Mary Stewart books and imagine how heavenly it would be to live in the cool, lovely English climate. In movies, even the sunlight looks gentle, unlike ours which is harsh, follows you around and tries to burn a hole in you. Shade is in short supply here as the cows eat all the trees. What they don't consume, the squirrels go behind and finish. You'll see 30 cows resting under one tree here in the summer. If they could hold parasols, they'd have them. Two years ago, we were in the middle of a long drought and had something like 40 consecutive days of three-digit temperatures. Every time I went outside, I felt like I was carrying the drought itself on my back. I began to walk bent and very, very fast back into the air conditioning.
Winters are better here, though, than they were in Houston. At least we get some freezing temperatures, some ice and at least a little snow. Our first year here, it began to snow while I was milking our cow. My husband was slowly filling the cow's feed trough while trying to hold back her little calf. (Moo had enjoyed a long career as a range nurse cow when I got her, and would only stand still and let you milk her while she was eating, so milking her was a two-person job.) By the time we were done, the calf's back was covered with snow, and it was swirling heavily outside our barn doors. It continued to snow all day and a little into the night. It was December 23rd and that beautiful snow was the best Christmas present I ever had.
I have some slight nerve damage in my left hand which makes any two-handed knitting rather difficult, but sometimes I get a strong urge to knit little designs in things so either work in the round or use the slip stitch method (every row = 2 rows). I love Aran designs, but find cables very difficult. I'm in awe of anyone who can knit an entire Aran sweater! I did make a sampler Gansey once from a book. It was about a size small in guinea pig when finished. I use it to hide little things in now and to remind me how really awful cheap, cheap yarn can look over time.
I like the new fashion yarns, too, and am currently working on a moebius cowl made with a strand of chunky and a strand of faux fur. It makes a pretty fabric, but I'm a little worried about all those little strands of faux fur so close to the face. In addition, the texture is a little more like a rug than a cowl, but who knows? It could turn out great. If so, it's probably going to my daughter-in law for Christmas.
A Wallaby is just the knitted version of a hooded sweatshirt with a pouch in the center. Kids around here really seem to like them so they're fun to knit for neighbors and charity. A toothbrush rug is a rag rug made from strips of cloth with no braiding or sewing. You just blanket-stitch around, increasing where needed to make the shape you want. You attach each strip as you go by slipping through holes at the ends. I didn't even have to buy any supplies for this one - my husband made a needle for me from the handle of a bowl scraper. Since I didn't buy any pattern, but just did my best with instructions from the internet, 2 out of my 4 little rugs have some 'cupping', but they're still nice-looking and have the bonus of being one-of-a-kind. I did develop a bit of a lung infection while I was making them and am not certain it wasn't from tearing sheets indoors. Maybe I'll try making a basket or rug with old bread wrappers next time. I've heard word on the internet that it's been done. If you think that's bad, I even made a whirly thing from the plastic lid of a shortening can. It's a craft disorder.
Sad but true about Eastenders being weepy and screamy. I liked it so much better in the late 80s and 90s. I loved the humor and the day-to-day happenings. I still like to keep up with Dot and Jim, Bianca and Rickey and, or course, the notorious Mitchell clan. My family pities me..,
American TV family time around here equals Survivor, LOST, Hell's Kitchen and The Office. My husband loves most of the crime and forensic shows, I watch some of them and my son and I both watch Everybody Loves Raymond. I like the Britcoms, too, especially the old ones like Are You Being Served, To the Manor Born, Fawlty Towers, etc. When I was little, I used to read my brother's Boys Book of Sherlock Homes and began a lifelong love of Holmes and Watson so I watch (and read) anything Baker Street.
My youngest son and I planned to visit England six years ago when my sister-in-law was stationed there. We got our passports, and I found a little book on walking tours in Yorkshire, and then the company I worked for surprised me by letting me go. We decided it was most prudent to use our remaining funds to retire to a small place in the country. We haven't given up hope, though, and still plan on making the trip someday. I think it's especially important for my husband to travel to his Mum's country and visit all his relatives there.
I suffer from similar health afflictions with fused vertebrae in spine and neck and degenerative joint disease in hips. Some days are definitely better than others, but life is always good and I try to enjoy as much of it as I can.
It was no nice to hear from you! I wish you all the best and hope to hear from you again, as well.
Best regards,
Deborah
Hi there Ladies - Acky, monkeysocks & Linda Lawrence!!!
Grecia (lovely and unusual name!) - Not sure where to find things on this site - I can't find your reply, so I guess it is lurking about somewhere '' Lost In (cyber) Space''!
As to the 1-ply cobweb yarn for my Shetland Lace shawls, I use a supplier in the Sheltand Isles - Jamieson & Smith (Shetland Wool Brokers). They also do 2-ply lace, 2-ply Jumper (standard 4-ply equivalent - ideal for Hap Shawls and Fair Isle work), Aran-type wool and Shetland Supreme - natural undyed yarn in 2-ply Jumper & 2 ply lace weight. All their yarn is 100% wool from the native Shetland Sheep. Their website is www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk You can't beat their 1-ply cobweb!
Linda - i have subscribed to the Crochet and Knitting magazines. I've not received the Fall Knitting magazine yet, but the Crochet one came on Friday 9th. All I can say is WOW!! There is so much more imaginative work here that in the UK magazines we have here! I belong to a knitting group in Newcastle upon Tyne, and one of the ladies subscribes to some UK magazines which just don't have the interesting designs I've seen on this site. I'd definitely say it is well worth subscribing to either/both magazines.
Deborah - You might not like the cool English climate too much - we get rather a lot of it!!! Mind you, I get it quite bad - I live on the coast in north-east England and we have the North Sea to thank for our weather! When it is cold, it can be very cold and the breeze can be quite frosty coming in off the North Sea. However, when it is not raining or windy, it is really lovely, even when it is a little bit chilly.
I'm sorry to hear about your health problems - I have some rather unpleasant ones myself - chronic Fibromyalgia, four disintegrating joints in my neck, two crumbling knees and multiple degeneration of the lumbar spine! Thank goodness for chocolate, ice cream and coffee!!! I understand when you say some days are better than others, and couldn't agree more when you say life is always good and you try to enjoy as much of it as you can!!!
Well, bye for now Ladies! I must go - there is a mug of hot chocolate with my name on it!
Best wishes!!
Hi Mandyangela. It's nice to meet you (insert internet handshake).
Sounds like we're all in the same boat healthwise. Our bones may be bad, but at least our attitudes are good!
I can't believe you knit with cobweb yarn. Wow! My hands are cramping up and my sight is darkening just thinking about it. I have a yellow garden spider you might be able to use. She's very dependable - a new cobweb every morning. Seriously, I'm not familiar with that weight of yarn. Is it lighter than fingering?
I think I'll go get some chocolate now. Maybe pour it over some ice cream and have a cup of coffee.
Best regards to all,
PS: Greetings to you, too, Lyn. It's always nice to meet another knitter.
Hi Deborah!!
The 1-ply cobweb equates to a #0 using the US system, although it is slightly thinner than most US #0 yarns. It's not as difficult to use as it might seem! You just need patience. The stitches are knits, yarn forwards, slips, stitches together and passing slipped stitches over - just the very basics. I like it because it makes me look more clever than I am!
Seriously though, as long as you can handle the basic stitches, you can do lace knitting, and it doesn't have to be in the #0 yarn. I often use the Shetland 2-ply laceweight - US#1, or the 2-ply jumper weight - that is probably somewhere in between US #1 and #2. You could describe it as a very light fingering yarn. You can use other yarns such as cashmere or silk for example, but none of them will dress (US block) as well as wool. Very fine merino can be used, but this can fluff/pill and spoil the definition of the lace stitches.
It is about 9am UK time as I write this. I had my hot chocolate last night and it was yummie! I'm just about to go into town to do some shopping and have my morning caffeine fix in my favourite coffee shop.
Byeee for now!
Mandy
Hi Mandy,
From your description, I'm fairly certain cobweb is lighter than any yarn I've used, the finest being a fingering weight sock yarn. I cannot claim to be a very patient knitter, but I do find lace knitting so lovely. Perhaps I could try it on a small scale - maybe a shawlette for spring.
Thanks so much for telling me about the merino. It would be a sad lesson to learn through experience. I can't imagine knitting a lovely lace shawl just to have the stitches fade into the background when it was completed. I'm pretty certain that would be the end of any lace knitting for me.
Shopping and a nice morning cup of coffeee sound like a dream I'd like to have. It's still raining here (as it's been for weeks), and I'm sitting in front of the computer trying to work up the resolve to go out for the morning trudge around the oh-so-muddy chicken yards and cow barn. I know that once I'm outside, I won't mind as I really love taking care of all our animals, but it's so comfortable and dry inside, and there are so many nice patterns to see.
Oh well, Brewster is crowing quite impatiently now, so I better tend to my chores.
Have a great day and thanks again for all the useful information!
hello!
I think ppl who have physical difficulties are blessed because then they truly have the time to sit and knit/crochet (at least that is what I tell myself when I ache and pain from my arthritis.) I dont seem to be able to get many knit projects done.
I find that large knitting projects make my needles to cumbersome to hold and end up with aching wrists. Any solution? The crocheting projects just sit on my lap and dont hang off my hook. I want to knit an afgan in the round using circular needles but dread the ache.
I was the first one in my family to knit with two and three colors. I knit continental style and hold the main yarn in my left hand and knit English style with the other yarns. The first thing I knit this way was a little 8 month size sweater for my niece. Well I never did finish it because when I went out to work, my Mom grabbed it and loved the colors and the way the patterns were intertwined so she finished it in one afternoon. (I did scold her for doing my work but was pleased that she enjoyed knitting with more than one color.)
It is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. I live in Northwestern Ontario and we have been having snow for several days now! Makes everything beautiful and clean looking.
I do enjoy the feel of yarns through my fingers---it is very relaxing and destressing!
Happy Thanksgiving, Zoe
PS. When will Corrie Street come up with a character who does knitting? will Becky turn out to be a knitter?
Hello there Mandyangela
I have written an email to you and I can see it on my profile to you - but I do not think you have received it????? Not sure what has happened there. I hope you received this one - Please could you let me know.
Hope you are keeping well. My knitty friend.
Acky Grecia
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